At a never before seen double celebration at Pilgrim Lodge No.6342 a packed Fern Avenue Masonic Hall were treated to not only a dedication of a new banner but also a celebration of the Lodges 75th Anniverdary.
The Provincial Grand Matser, R.W.Bro, Ian Craigs, supported by a full Provincial deputation in what was the last visit of the current season prior to the new officers being appointed, re-appointed and promoted at the annual meeting at Gosforth Racecourse, presided over this historical occasion, under the auspices of Provincial Grand Lodge.
During the Order of Dedication the very impressive new banner was unveiled causing the Provincial Grand Master, in his own words, to be “lost for words” due to its magnificence and splendour.
Once the formalities had been completed, in connection with the dedication of the banner, the Provincial Team turned their attentions to the Lodges 75th Anniversary celebrations. Members of the Lodge delivered a very informative short history of the Lodge and read the Minutes of the Consecration Meeting. After a Reading and Oration by the Provincial Grand Chaplain the lodge room was filled with the enthusiastic singing of those present commemorating this auspicious occasion.
Pilgrim Lodge was born out of St Thomas Lodge No.5420, and at the Founders meeting, held at Gowen Terrace Msonic Hall on 19th March 1946, as it was then known, it was agreed that a petition to the Grand Master would be submitted to form the Lodge. The agreement to this was received on 9th August with a consecration date being set for 23rd September. In 1953 the Lodge moved to the Lodge Rooms at Broomfield Road, holding their first meeting there in the September of that year, finally being forced to move to North Shields Masonic Hall in January 1972, due to proposed road improvements in the Jesmond area, and a compulsory puchase order of the building being agreed. The Lodge finally returned to its spiritual home in 1982, now called Fern Avenue Masonic Hall, holding its first meeting in the March, some 36 years after initially leaving.
Interestingly enough, at the Consecration of the Lodge, the consecrating Junior Warden was W.Bro John Robinson and the member holding the office of Junior Warden at the 75th Aniversary celebrations was also a brother by the name of W.Bro John Robinson. There were also three joining members and three initiates proposed into the Lodge at the Consecration.
All of the original founders have now passed, however, one particular member who’s contribution to the Lodge deserves specific recognition is that of W.Bro.Neville Hooper who, in their Golden Jubilee in 1996, had reached 58 years in Freemasonry.
Congratulations to the Brethren of Pilgrim Lodge who, having been on the brink of closure in 2012, have moved forward with an optimism borne of its founding members back in 1946. We wish you many years of happiness and prosperity under the guidance of your newly dedicated banner.
Thanks go to all the members of Pilgrim Lodge for the submission of this article.
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